A reason to stay in London this Bank Holiday

Fun fact: There are over 380 galleries in London. Another fun fact: More than half of Londoners (58 percent) haven’t visited an art gallery despite the fact that they’re available to check out for free! Aside from The National Gallery, The Tate or Whitechapel Gallery, London boasts an incredible number of art galleries to visit, no matter which borough you live in.

Instead of planning a trip abroad this Bank Holiday weekend, consider planning a trip closer to home…or more appropriately, at home. Gaurab Thakali is an illustrator based in London who serves as one of the local guidebook hosts on Airbnb. Guidebooks are locally sourced recommendations from Londoners which give visitors and locals alike, new and interesting ways to explore the boroughs of London.

Assembly Point, an artist-run gallery in Peckham which prides itself on developing and showcasing the work of emerging artists.

Victoria Miro, a gallery based in an old Victorian furniture factory in Islington. The space boasts an impressive garden and features work from winners of the Turner Prize, the UK’s top art award.

House of Illustration, in King’s Cross is one of the only galleries in London that focus solely on narrative work by illustrators. It’s a crowd pleaser for kids because you’ll find work from Sir Quentin Blake, who illustrated Roald Dahl’s books.

To find new ways to explore London over the Bank Holiday weekend, scroll through the rest of the London Guidebooks.